Idemili North Council Boss, Nkwoka Graces Igwe Ogidi’s New Yam Festival
…Promises To Partner With Critical Stakeholders In Revolutionizing Agriculture, Uplifting The Culture And Tradition of Idemili North
By Mmaduabuchi Onwumelu
The Transition Committee Chairman of Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State, Hon. Stanley Nkwoka (Ochendo Idemili), over the weekend graced the 2024 New Yam Festival of HRM, Pharm Uzo Alex Onyido (Igwe Ezechumagha of Ogidi Kingdom).
Joining the Traditional ruler to celebrate the age-long annual New Yam festival, Chief Nkwoka who is the front line All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) Idemili North Chairmanship candidate for the fast approaching Local Government election in Anambra State, promised to partner with the relevant stakeholders to uplift and uphold the culture and tradition of Idemili North as well as revolutionized agriculture to enhance food sufficiency and production.
The Chief Servant of the most populous and densely populated Council Area of Anambra State noted that Yam festival is an Igbo culture, saying that Yam is highly respected in Igboland as the most prominent steple food in Igboland.
‘Yam is highly regarded more than other crops in Igboland. If someone eventually steal yam. After punishing the person, the person would perform some traditional rituals to appease the God. This shows you how important yam is in Igboland”
‘So, we don’t toy with festival of New Yam. In the “Things Fall Apart”, there’s a particular side New Yam festival of Ogidi was highlighted. Igbo culture is not idol worshipping. Clean heart and uprightness is culture. There is no idol worshipping in new Yam festival. I cherish our culture and tradition,’ he said.
The APGA’s Candidate who accompanied to the celebration by APGA Idemili North Chairman, Chief Lemmy Ekwo (Ugonnia High Tension) and the concillorship candidates for Nkpor ward l and ll, under the platform of All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), Hon. Samuel Anikpe (Wester Oyinatumba) and Hon Nzubechukwu Oraekwotu respectively, called those claiming that there is idol worshipping in New Yam festival to disabused their minds from such negativism, saying that they were not well informed in Igbo culture, even as he asserted that some cultures were brought and introduced to discourage Ndigbo from practicing their own tradition.
Receiving the People’s Chairman in his Palace, HRM, pharm, Onyido explained that the New Yam festival, known as ‘Iri-ji Ohu’ is a revered celebration that promote Igbo cultural heritage and weaves together spiritual and cultural significance, reinforcing the people’s connection to their heritage, forefathers and the divine.
The Monarch noted that through the festival, a massive agricultural revival among the community to reawaken their agricultural consciousness to tackle the looming food crises amidst increasing prices of commodities.
He urged youths who are fast abandoning agriculture for White-collar job to make a U-turn and embrace agriculture to improve food production to eradicate hunger and food crises, which he said deliberate measures should put in place to check the menace.
Pharm Onyido who is a renowned pharmacist commended the Transition Committee Chairman for making out time out of his busy schedules to identify with him, acknowledging the Council Boss had shown humility and kind disposition.
The Royal father also said that Nkwoka’s transformative leadership within the shortest period of time in office had changed the narrative and placed him above every other contender, stating that he had touched so many lives positively, especially the people of Idemili North.
The ceremony which took place at Igwe’s palace began with Eucharistic Celebration presided over by the Parish priest of Our Lady of Assumption Catholic Church. Ogidi, Rev. Fr. Dr. Aloysius Agba.
Fr. Agba described Igwe Alex Onyido as a humble, peaceful and a prayerful Monarch who is leading his Kingdom with fear of God.
He urged people of the town to always pray for the Monarch and support his good work for the greater good of Ogidi Kingdom.
There were presence of Ndi Ichie, Igwe’s cabinets, Umuada, friends and well-wishers, youths, as well as sons and daughters of Ogidi community.
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